Westminster Report: May 2019

I trust you are well?

Since my last Westminster report a lot has changed. I am now a backbencher, once again, and we are now in the midst of a leadership election.

I am happy to share with you this month plenty of news from Westminster, including the IPCWC and my thoughts on the leadership election.

As ever, I hope you find it informative and if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at chris.heatonharris.mp@parliament.uk

INTER PARLIAMENTARY CRICKET WORLD CUP

I am thrilled to be able to share with you something that I have been planning for many months now, the Inter Parliamentary Cricket World Cup (IPCWC).

As the cricket fans amongst you will know the ICC Cricket World Cup is currently taking place over here in England and Wales.

With this in mind, during the final week of this tournament, that beginning the 8th July, we are holding a tournament of our own in collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). MPs and Ministers from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa will be making the trip to come and play in the IPCWC, the first tournament of its kind. Not to mention the involvement of our very own Lords' and Commons Cricket Club.

There will be no shortage of star studded politicians, from Mohammed Azharuddin, ex-Indian Captain, who won 99 Test matches and received 334 ODI caps to Mashrafe Mortaza for the Bangladeshis, who is captaining them at the ICC World Cup itself.

What is the purpose of the IPCWC? With Brexit on the horizon we have a fantastic opportunity to make the most of our historical ties with our friends and allies in the Commonwealth to establish new UK trade agreements.The informal and laid back atmosphere of cricket is just the setting for these conversations to take place.

Foreign parliamentarians touch down for the week of the 8th July and I look forward to welcoming them to the UK.

The IPCWC aside I hope you will all be getting behind our national side in the World Cup!

I was recently contacted by a constituent, Melvin Plumridge, about a fantastic cause he is championing and wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little about him and his efforts and ask for your support.

Melvin was diagnosed with an incurable form of blood cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, in 2013 and had treatment in 2017. He is now trying to raise awareness and funds to help research a cure to blood cancer.

Currently there are 240,000 people living with blood cancer in the UK. It is the 3rd highest cancer killer ahead of both breast and prostate, with many patients only receiving a diagnosis once they are presented at A&E due to lack of awareness within the general population. 50% of us will get a diagnosis of cancer in our lifetime with 1 in 16 men and 1 in 22 women receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.

Melvin recently ran the Edinburgh Marathon and cycled the 100 mile tour of Cambridge. In the first weekend of July Melvin will be taking part in the Long Course Weekend and in September the Daventry Triathlon.

All of this, to raise money for for the UK's leading blood cancer research charity, Bloodwise.

Please do follow the link to donate to to Melvin and Bloodwise and support this fantastic cause.

LEADERSHIP

With the future of Brexit hanging in the balance and, with 7 of my colleagues now jostling for position to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and therefore Prime Minister, it is absolutely vital that, as MPs and then as Conservative Party members, we make the right choice.

With this in mind I backed Andrea Leadsom, unfortunately given today's ballot result Andrea is no longer a part of the process.

With this in mind, I am now looking at the remaining candidates. I would be interested to hear your thoughts so please do let me know. Who is your favourite?

Why not take a look at their campaign videos using the below links:

Boris Johnson
Dominic Raab
Michael Gove
Sajid Javid
Rory Stewart
Jeremy Hunt
Matt Hancock

My visit to Davis Commercial Services Ltd, a local business, that specialises in recycling supermarket refrigeration (top left). One of my coffee mornings, this one in Great Oxendon (top right). When Boris came to visit! Meeting students at the Parker in Daventry (bottom right). The brilliant Grace Pallett at Voice Box's joke telling competition here in Parliament (bottom left).

CHRIS' JOKE OF THE MONTH

“I just realised I haven’t done the Hokey Cokey for a long time – I think I’ve just forgotten what it’s all about.”

(hat tip Grace Pallett)

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Chris Heaton-Harris MP's Westminster Report: May 2019

Chris Heaton-Harris MP's
Westminster Report:
May 2019